— Proud History of Canadian Lutherans Who Chose to Take a Stand

CALC
Canadian
Association of
Lutheran
Congregations
— Proud History of
Canadian Lutherans Who
Chose to Take a Stand

In 1986, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Canada (ELCC) and the Lutheran Church of
America - Canada Section (LCA-Canada Section)
merged forming the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Canada (ELCIC). The ELCC was both
conservative and evangelical. The LCA was more
liberal both theologically and socially. Some felt
that it should have been a merger of the ELCC
and much more conservative Lutheran Church
Canada–Missouri Synod (LC-C). The ELCC had
emerged in 1966 as an autonomous body arising
from the Canadian congregations of the
American Lutheran Church (ALC). Article 3
(Confession of Faith), the “unalterable” portion
of CALC’s Constitution came from the ELCC/ALC
constitution, word for word the same as the
Confession of Faith of the American Association
of Lutheran Churches (AALC). The AALC was
formed on November 7, 1987 as an alternative
choice for churches in the American Lutheran
Church (ALC) denomination who did not want to
be part of the merger with two other Lutheran
church bodies, Lutheran Church in America
(LCA), and American Evangelical Lutheran
Church (AELC), which formed the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
Shortly after the merger creating the ELCIC in
1986, groups of pastors and laypersons came
together in an organization called the
Confessional Lutheran Fellowship (CLF) 1 . CALC
shares an affinity with this pre-existing Lutheran
evangelistic movement. These folks met
together a number of times in dynamic yearly
conferences seeking to speak for Biblical ethics
and morality and against the new merged
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s
(ELCIC’s) convention motions proposing to adopt
a general pro-abortion stand.
CLF distributed quarterly a publication called
“Table Talk”. Biblical pastors and laypersons
presented articles to CLF-subscribing individuals
and congregations promoting a Biblical and
Lutheran confessional theology, Biblical pro-life
and pro-family values. Conservative and
evangelical pastors and laypersons participating
with the CLF saw these issues as part of a far
greater issue – the affirmation of a clear Biblical
position, without apology. The minimizing of
the authority of Scripture was the real issue for
ELCIC conservative and evangelical pastors and
laypersons. Maintaining a stand on the Word of
God and the Lutheran Confessions became
increasingly difficult – even with the continuing
leadership of folks such as former ELCC
president, Rev. Dr. Ted Jacobson, former CLBI
president, Dr. Arnold Hagen, “The Good
Shepherd” editor, Pastor Oscar Summerfelt,
psychiatrist and medical doctor, Dr. John
Lefsrud, and former missionary, Ella Loberg.
This was in the contrast to the pro-gay blessings
propaganda and ordination of gays propaganda
promoted by individuals and some members of
the church hierarchy in the ELCIC using gay
rights organizations like Lutherans
Concerned/North America to promote their
agenda. At that time, all pastors and
congregations were asked to participate in
“studies on homosexuality”. Instead of strong
Biblical presentations, their presentations
sought to glorify sociological aspects of
abortion, homosexuality and subtly minimized
or sought to excuse the Biblical content. The
key issue dividing conservatives and liberals was
clearly their differing views and understandings
of Scripture and Scriptural interpretation.
Those involved in the early formative years of
CALC included Rev. Ken Wilsdon, Rev. Verne
Roste, Rev. Norm Miller, Rev. Terry Sauder,
Rev. Daniel Deyell, Rev. Dr. Arnold Hagen, Rev.
Dr. George Evenson, Philip Brose (lawyer), Olive
Kieler, Bill Anhorn, Dr. Garth Wagner and
several other laypersons. CALC began informally
on 7 October, 1991 when a group of concerned
Lutherans, about 50 laypersons and pastors,
representing 15-20 Lutheran congregations in
western Canada, gathered together in Calgary
with a vision for a kind of Lutheran church
different from what they were experiencing.
Those who came together at that meeting
desired to establish a middle-of-the-road,
theologically conservative church with an
emphasis on Scriptural authority and the
Lutheran Confessions. A model was seen in the
center ground previously held by the former
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada (ELCC).
Several seminary students present at the
meeting shared concerns about the teaching and
practices at Lutheran Theological Seminary,
Saskatoon. Five seminarian students had
documented examples of teaching by various
professors being contrary to Scripture and
Lutheran doctrine. As a result, the students
were subjected to removal or notification that
there would be no provision of an internship
position (a prerequisite for becoming a pastor in
the ELCIC) upon graduation. Subsequently, four
of the five students who had taken a stand
challenging the seminary’s teaching left the
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seminary. A motion was made that an association
be formed, with the older ELCC constitution being
used as a model, and, as well, a motion to pursue
federal incorporation. A Steering Committee was
formed to develop a constitution and bylaws.
Members of the Steering Committee included Rev.
Vern Roste, Dick Harvey, and Olive Kieler from BC,
Rev. Norman Miller, Garth Wagner, Guenther
Mook, and Rev. Arnold Hagen from Alberta, and
Rev. Ken Wilsdon, George Cooper, and Richard
Zimmerman from Saskatchewan. The minutes for
this formative meeting concluded with the
following notation by Olive Kieler, who acted as
secretary, “Here we stand, we can do no other!
Praise the Lord.”
The participants’ vision for a new Lutheran Synod
included such values as the importance of
autonomy for local churches, conservative social
ethics positions, a commitment to the Holy
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the
inerrant Word of God, a commitment to the
church’s evangelistic mandate, and an openness to
the sovereign working of God’s Spirit. In drafting a
new constitution, the designers endeavored to take
into account what was learned from problems
experienced within the ELCIC so as to possibly
avoid going down the same path. An information
meeting was held March 27-28, 1992 in Calgary.
On the 30th and 31st of October, 1992, a
constituting convention was held, appropriately, at
the “Port of Call” Inn in Calgary, attended by over
100 delegates. Thereby, an unincorporated
national church body, calling itself the Canadian
Association of Lutheran Congregation was
established, composed of congregations and
individuals wishing to come together for the
purpose of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ
as Saviour and risen Lord, to hold fast to the
Scriptures, rightly to administer the sacraments,
and to live lives of faithfulness and service, all in
accordance with Lutheran tradition, teachings and
confessions.
The opening service, “A New Beginning”, began
with the following prayer that for CALC, “Coming
together in Christ is a beginning; keeping together
in Him and His Word will be progress; serving
together in love and humility will be success”. The
message was brought by Rev. Dr. Duane Lindberg,
the first president (1987-1999) of the American
Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC). Greetings
were brought by Rev. Jim Winters on behalf of the
Association of Free Lutheran Congregations-Canada
(AFLC-Canada). A letter of greetings was read from
Rev. Edwin Lehman, the first national president of
Lutheran Church-Canada (LC-C), which was
autonomously organized in 1988. Special thanks
were expressed to lawyer, Phil Brose, for all he
had done on CALC’s behalf.
CALC’s first Executive: Left to right: Rev. Terry
Sauder, Rev. Vern Roste, Olive Kieler and Bill
Anhiorn.
Officers elected at the constituting convention
were Rev. Vern Roste, President; Rev. Terry
Sauder, Vice-President; Olive Kieler, Secretary;
and Bill Anhorn, Treasurer. Elected to the Board of
Elders were Dr. Garth Wagner, Harold Stedel, and
Lavera Erickson. Elected to the Board of Trustees
were Dennis Petersen, Henry Wiebe, and Joyce
Bergh.
The first meeting of CALC’s National Council was
held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, an LC-C
church, in Calgary on January 16, 1993.
The guest speaker for the 2 nd Annual Convention
(Nov. 1993) held at the FCJ Christian Life Centre in
Calgary was Dr. Norman Lund, President of the
AALC Seminary in Minneapolis, MN. Another
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special guest, Pastor Arnold Hagen, gave an update
on the Confessional Lutheran Fellowship (CLF).
Rev. Vernon Roste was the president of CALC from
the beginning of the life of the church body. He
guided the organizing and the development of
CALC for two years before the constituting
convention. Part of his duties took him to Ottawa
with Edmonton lawyer Phil Brose where they
guided the Charter Bill for the organization through
Parliament.
The original petitioners for an act to incorporate
CALC, as well as being the provisional governing
body, were Garth Wagner, Harold Stedel, Olive
Kieler, Rev. Vernon Roste and George Cooper. On
June 15, 1994 Bill S-5, an act to incorporate the
Canadian Association of Lutheran Congregations
received Royal Assent, becoming a truly “made in
Canada” Lutheran body and not a branch of
another country’s church body.
This resulted from a private member’s bill (S-5)
originally introduced in the Senate by the
Honorable H.A. “Bud” Olsen (1925-2002) who later
became the 14 th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta,
1996-2000. Mr. Olsen also provided invaluable
assistance in arranging appointments for Rev. Vern
Roste and Phil Brose to meet many members of
parliament from various parties in order to ensure
support and quick passage of the bill. Mr. Art
Hanger, who at the time was a member of the
Reform (now the Conservative) Party of Canada
and represented the riding of Calgary Northeast,
introduced the bill in the House of Commons. Ms.
Deborah Grey, Reform MP for the riding of Beaver
River outside Edmonton, moved the bill in place of
Mr. Hanger for second reading in the House of
Commons. She concluded her speech in the House
of Commons as follows: “The organization is
intended to have two functions. First, it will act as
a denomination for congregations wishing to join
it. As well, there may be associate members,
either persons or congregations, agreeing with the
goals, aims and theology of the association. This
association seeks a return to Lutheran roots with
its emphasis on Scripture, missions and Lutheran
theology”. In summary, within two weeks the bill
cleared the parliament of Canada - the Senate
(June 8, 1994) and House of Commons (June 14,
l994) - and received Royal Assent (June 15, 1994).
Rev. Vern Roste gratefully reported, “Phil and I
met for prayer several times and it was truly a
delight to work with Phil and see the Lord open
doors”.
H.A. “Bud” Olsen M.P. Art Hanger M.P. Deborah Grey
The following are excerpts from the message of
CALC’s first president, Rev. Vern Roste, contained
in the first (Jan./Feb. 1993) issue of CALC’s (atthat-time-unnamed)
newsletter:
“Many things have happened since our Constituting
Convention (October 30/31, 1992). I have been
busy with numerous phone calls, personal visits
and letters as clergy and lay people have
contacted me regarding CALC. There were two
negative letters received, but neither had any
names attached. Otherwise, it’s been with much
interest and great approval for CALC. My estimate
is that nearly 100 contacts have been experienced.
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One evening I had so many calls that I realized
that there were many unhappy people in difficult
situations crying out to God for an organization
such as ours. (Read Acts: 6:1-10) Many are
convinced that the ordination of practicing
homosexuals is an eventuality. Others claim that
they haven’t heard a gospel message for a long
time. While most are lamenting the erosion of the
authority of Scripture, the rapid spread of
extreme use of Inclusive language and New Age
teachings, repeatedly the conversation concluded
with, ‘We are just waiting to see what transpires
at the ‘93 ELCIC Convention in Vancouver’…Let all
of us be captured by a sense of mission in the
Lord’s service. Just think that we have come to
the kingdom for such a time as this. There are no
accidents in the Lord’s economy, but there are
glorious opportunities. Interestingly, one ELCIC
Executive phoned and said to me, ‘Vern, I believe
that CALC is timely in that so many of the ELCIC
congregations are in tension.’ He spoke of two
camps being at loggerheads so that neither can
pursue its agenda He continued, ‘It would be good
to go separate ways and get on with our different
programs.’ So let’s dare to be Daniels and take our
stand for the authority of Scripture, for renewal
and for evangelistic outreach. To God be the
glory.”
The “eventuality” referred to by this missive from
CALC’s first president finally was realized some18
years later at the 2011 ELCIC National Convention
in Saskatoon.
The following excerpt from The President’s Epistle
appeared in the second (Spring/Summer 1993)
issue of CALC’s newsletter:
“My adventure into C.A.L.C. has been an
incredible journey. There had never been plans to
launch into such an undertaking. However, I was so
dismayed at the silence of those I had looked up to
and had expected to be pillars for God and His
word. The consternation deepened when some
that had been avowed conservatives began to
switch allegiances…What a freeing experience it
has been to no longer have to contend against the
radical vision of the liberals but simply to press on
with the task of the church and preach His word in
truth and purity. Thankfully, I can remember
former pastors, teachers and leaders who have
now gone on to be with the Lord. Their stand upon
the Word, their love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
witness in their walk, stir me afresh. When I went
to church under such men of God, it was with the
expectation to hear from God and be given a
needed challenge. As we pick up the threads of
C.A.L.C., once for all delivered to the saints, we
continue the tapestry of the church the fathers
planned. A church woven into God’s design is our
desire and prayer. Join hands with us prayerfully
and perhaps once more we will be able to sing,
‘Faith of our fathers, living still’.”
The minutes for the 3 rd Annual Convention held
Nov. 2-5, 1994 in Kamloops recorded, “Much
thanks and praises to God for our lawyer Phil Brose
and MP Bud Olson for their
invaluable help. God answers
and walls fall away. We now
have our National Federal
Charter.” At that convention,
Rev. Dan Deyell became Vice-
President, succeeding Rev.
Terry Sauder.
Philip H. Brose, LL.B., today
Due to health reasons, Rev. Vern Roste retired as
the president of CALC and Rev. Terry Sauder was
elected president at the 4 th Annual Convention
held at Christ Lutheran, Sexsmith, Alberta,
October 27-28, 1995. Also elected was Lowell
Lovrod, replacing Bill Anhorn as treasurer. The
guest speaker, Rev. Arnold Hagen, spoke on the
convention theme “Let God Arise” based upon 2
Chronicles 6.
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Rev. Terry Sauder during his term as President of CALC
(1995-1999).
Members of CALC’s 2003 National Council: Left to right (back
row): Dave Muir (Vice-President), Art Kroeker, Bob Becker,
Roger Plested. Left to right (front row): Fred Krause
(Treasurer), Janet Muir (Secretary), Rev. Daniel Deyell
(President) and Garth Wagner.
The 7 th and 8 th Annual Conventions were held July
1998 and July 1999 at the Canadian Lutheran Bible
Institute (CLBI), Camrose, Alberta.
Past presidents of CALC:
– Rev. Vern Roste (founding) - 1992-1995
– Rev. Terry Sauder - 1995-1999
– Rev. Daniel Deyell - 1999-2003
– Mr. Dave Muir - 2003-2006
– Mr. Roger Plested - 2006-2009
The current president, elected in 2009, is Rev.
Edward Skutshek (Grace Lutheran, Kelowna, BC).
Above, CALC President, Pastor Ed Skutshek, making a point at
a recent National Council meeting in Calgary. Board of Elders
member, Art Kroeker, in the foreground listening attentively.
CALC’s National Council has a face-to-face meeting
in Calgary two to three times a year.
In issue No. 11, 1996, of CALC’s newsletter, The
Lutheran Connector, CALC’s President at that
time, Rev. Terry Sauder, advised, “We need
patience for the present; it is in age that fruit is
produced. Our organization is young. In time the
fruit will come. In the Lord we flourish, expecting
fruit to come in the Lord’s season”. Over the last
five years CALC has grown from four congregations
to twenty with congregations now in five Canadian
provinces: BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba
and Ontario.
Name
Member
Since
St. Andrew’s, Kamloops, BC 1992
Christ Lutheran, Sexsmith, AB 1994
Christ Lutheran, Morden, MB 1997
Journey’s Lutheran, Grande Prairie, AB 2006
St. Peter’s, Cochrane, AB 2007
Grace Lutheran, Kelowna, BC 2009
Faith Lutheran, North York, ON 2009
Martin Luther, Vancouver, BC 2011
Resurrection Lutheran, Pembroke, ON 2011
Peace Lutheran, Wainwright, AB 2011
Sharon Lutheran, Irma, AB 2012
Golden Valley, Viking, AB 2012
Trinity, Leader, SK 2012
Good Shepherd, Toronto, ON 2012
All Saints, Ottawa, ON 2012
Basel Hakka, Vancouver, BC 2012
St. John’s, Preeceville, SK 2012
St. Matthew’s, Cornwall, ON 2012
Bardo Lutheran, Tofield, AB 2012
Immanuel Lutheran, Stony Plain, AB 2012
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CALC was formed to provide a quality Biblical Lutheran home
denomination for ELCIC pastors and provide a totally Canadian Lutheran
ministry opportunity that is comfortable and familiar to ELCIC pastors
and congregations both in structure, polity, worship and fellowship.
CALC was formed to be unapologetically Biblical, conservative,
confessional, evangelical, mission-oriented, prayer focused, and
accepted as a part of the greater conservative and evangelical Lutheran
world.
History of CALC’s Logo
As shown in Figure 1, CALC’s logo evolved over time.
Figure 1. Evolution of CALC’s logo over time.
CALC’s first secretary, Olive Kieler, provided the first draft of a logo (A.)
for CALC (circa 1993). This logo design was likely modeled after an early
logo (B.) used by the American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC).
By circa 1995 Rev. Dan Deyell had improved on the design so the logo
(C.) had a more three dimensional form and alpha and omega symbols
placed on the two sides of the open Bible, an appellation of Jesus in the
Book of Revelation (“I am the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End” – Rev. 22:13). Within the same year, Rev.
Dan Deyell had further improved on the logo (D.) by adding the Luther
rose on the right hand side, which brings us, with some positioning of
the cross, to CALC’s logo as it exists today (E.).
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1) The brief history of the Confessional Lutheran Fellowship (CLF)
was provided by Pastor Norm Miller.
First Edition prepared for CALC’s 2011 General Convention, Nov. 2011
Updated: Sept. 2012
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Contact Us
Anyone wishing further information about CALC or
wishing to join, please contact us. Written copies of
the Constitution and its by-laws, additional
educational and informational materials and copies
of our newsletter Lutheran Connector are available
from the address below. As well, additional
information can be found at CALC’s web site
www.calc.ca. Our members are available to meet
with your congregation to answer any questions and
to provide any further information.
Contact us at:
Pastor Ed Skutshek
President, CALC
Grace Lutheran Church
1162 Hudson Road
West Kelowna, BC
V1Z 1J3
Telephone (toll-free): 877-853-4801
Pastor Ed’s cellphone: (250) 801-3860
Email: info@calc.ca